Student Conduct Code

The Student Conduct Code defines behavior that is expected of students and describes the procedures the University follows and the sanctions that can be imposed if a student violates the code. Through the disciplinary process, UH Hilo promotes personal responsibility and encourages honesty, integrity, civility, and respect among students. The disciplinary process is designed to be an educational one though which students recognize their mistakes, take responsibility for them, and learn from them.

Behavior that violates the Student Conduct Code includes:

Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarizing)

Disrupting University processes, including being disruptive in the classroom

Harassing, stalking, and physically or verbally threatening, abusing, or assaulting another person; intimidating, coercing or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of another person

Using, possessing or distributing illegal drugs

Consuming or possessing alcohol by anyone under the age of 21 (alcohol is prohibited on campus with the exception of the Hale ‘Ikena residence hall and at functions receiving permission from the University administration)

Stealing, damaging or vandalizing property

Abusing computer privileges

Participating in a demonstration, riot or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the University and/or infringes on the rights of members of the University community

Providing false information; forging, altering or misusing a University document, record or identification

Initiating a false emergency report or misusing the emergency telephone or security system

Entering, occupying or using a facility without authorization

Possessing, producing, or manufacturing a key or unlocking device without authorization

Disorderly, lewd or indecent conduct

Violations of residence hall regulations

Any member of the UH Hilo community (faculty, staff, students) can bring forward an allegation that a student has violated the Student Conduct Code. Allegations should be directed to the Dean of Students (Kelly Oaks), with the exception of incidents of academic dishonesty (which are generally handled by the faculty and only referred to the Dean of Students when a student contests his or her responsibility) or residence hall regulation violations (which are generally handled by Housing Office staff).

A claim that a student has violated the Student Conduct Code will be investigated. Throughout the process, he/she has the right to fair and impartial treatment, and principles of due process (for example, providing an opportunity to respond to the allegations and an opportunity to appeal) will be followed, as described in detail in the full text of the Student Conduct Code. If a student is found responsible for the violation, he/she will be subject to disciplinary sanctions. Depending on the type and severity of the violation, sanctions may include:

Warning or Probation

Loss of certain privileges

Reduced or failing grade for a course or for an assignment, or a requirement to re-do an assignment (in cases of academic dishonesty)